Spending lower in any daily fantasy lineup is a way to incorporate some diversity into your roster. In NHL DFS, there is typically more value in this strategy but also a good deal more risk. This is especially true on tonight's slate, where there are lots of lower-salaried plays. Plugging in these options will afford you more chances to play some studs, as well.
Does the Monday night slate have 10 games? Really? Yes, it does. Let's search for value.
Isac Lundestrom, Center, Anaheim Ducks
FanDuel Salary: $3,300
The Monday night slate features a lot of all-risk plays from the center position. Isac Lundestrom is still getting some top-six ice time for the Anaheim Ducks. Lundestrom has been kept off the scoreboard but could be a sneaky play, as the Minnesota Wild will give up some scoring chances and nearly 31 shots per 60. Anaheim is starting to field a somewhat competent offense and has players like Trevor Zegras who may wind up playing with Lundestrom from time to time.
Lundestrom had double-digit FanDuel points against the San Jose Sharks last week and has the ability to get his shot on net. It comes down to finding space on the ice. Lundestrom struggles with that at times but has done a better job lately.
If one wants to go a different route, Nolan Patrick ($3,500) is an extreme risk from the Philadelphia Flyers against the New York Islanders on Monday night.
Oliver Wahlstrom, Wing, New York Islanders
FanDuel Salary: $3,800
Some worry about the young rookie but don't. Oliver Wahlstrom has double-digit FanDuel points in three straight games -- the last two versus a Philadelphia team that has allowed 25 goals in their last five games.
The Islanders need contributions like this from Wahlstrom, and he keeps delivering. His speed and shot selection are that of an established veteran. His development may have been questioned by some, but the results so far have been exemplary. The winger has five real-world points in the last five games with three-plus shots in three of the games.
If Wahlstrom seems too good to be true, Andrew Copp ($3,800) of the Winnipeg Jets is not a bad option versus the Vancouver Canucks.
Jakob Chychrun, Defenseman, Arizona Coyotes
FanDuel Salary: $4,200
Value is unusually high on Monday night, and FanDuel dropped the salary on Jakob Chychrun down to just $4,200. This is pure enticement, but honestly, it is pure value, as well, even against the Colorado Avalanche tonight.
Chychrun has a combined six-plus shots and blocked shots in four of his previous five games. He has eight goals and 13 assists on the season and has been one of the Arizona Coyotes' biggest offensive threats from the blueline.
Chychrun plays around 24 minutes a night and in all situations, which again increases that floor. This Avalanche team shoots a lot, and that means his opportunities to block shots are very high. Chychrun excels at this without injuring himself, which is essential. Colorado can also give up chances in bunches from unblocked shot attempts. The Arizona defenseman has the best shot from the blueline on his team -- even better than Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Brett Pesce ($3,900) has fared well against the Columbus Blue Jackets and has a similar floor from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Joonas Korpisalo, Goalie, Columbus Blue Jackets
FanDuel Salary: $6,900
With the shot volume at elevated levels, Joonas Korpisalo remains a good option versus the Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina can easily generate 35-plus shots without hesitation. However, in their last meeting, the Hurricanes managed a meager 27 shots, which is unusual.
This features danger because it is Korpisalo and Columbus. They will automatically give up two or more goals with consistency. Six of his eight starts have seen him allow two-plus goals. The one interesting fact is that Columbus seems to be allowing fewer shots per game. In those eight starts, Korpisalo has seen 35-plus shots just once. It will be intriguing to see if Carolina produces that top-five level of shots (32 shots per 60 on the road).
The other risk is that Carolina has the top power-play in the league at 31.3%. The Columbus Blue Jackets have the 27th-ranked penalty kill at just 73.3%.
The goaltending position features waiting for confirmations and trying to avoid disaster. Who starts for the New York Rangers against the Buffalo Sabres will be something to keep an eye on.
Chris Wassel is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Chris Wassel also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username chriswassel. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.